Beautiful projects to celebrate the New Year – New Craft books for February

They are packed with ideas and tips to inspire and encourage you to develop your creative skills. From seasonal projects to make and give and pretty patterns for lace knitting to delightful crocheted cushions and smocking stitching for beginners. Have fun!

A year in crafts : 52 seasonal projects to make and give / Clare Youngs.“Here are 52 beautifully simple step-by-step ideas to get you crafting throughout the year. Start in January by making a handmade diary so you can start the year fresh and organized, while in March you can revamp your home for the annual spring clean with a new chair seat or a vintage-inspired embroidered tablecloth. You’ll be inspired with Clare Youngs’ lovely projects, so whether you want to make each project as the year progresses, or dip in and out of the book, you’ll never be bored with A Year in Crafts.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Sock-yarn shawls II : 16 patterns for lace knitting / Jen Lucas.“Following the overwhelming success of Sock-Yarn Shawls , Jen Lucas presents an all-new selection of striking patterns for luscious sock yarns. Discover designs for everyone from confident beginners to advanced knitters. Patterns range from small shawlettes to large circular shawls, and many are made from a single skein. Pretty new patterns for single-colored and multicolored shawls – enjoy lots of options! Shawl constructions include top down, bottom up, crescent, short row, and circular Begin with the basics and move on to create designs with attach-as-you-go lace borders” (Syndetics summary)

Crocheted cushions / Susie Johns.“With 26 modern, colourful and creative designs to choose from, this inspiring title is the only crocheted cushion book you’ll ever need. Featuring a vibrant range of designs with bobbles, ruffles, stripes and granny squares, in shapes ranging from circles and rectangles to hearts, owls and chickens, this book also contains wedding ring pillows and pin cushions. Written by longstanding and highly successful author Susie Johns, this book also includes a comprehensive techniques section at the beginning, ensuring that it is accessible to crafters of any ability.” (Syndetics summary)

Modern vintage gifts : over 20 pretty & nostalgic projects to sew & give / Helen Phillipps“Sew a little love and give the gift of handmade with Vintage Modern Gifts! A bright contemporary collection of over 20 patchwork and sewn projects, designed to make readers smile and have fun with fabric from Helen Philipps – a popular craft designer whose highly desirable style is a cross between Cath Kidston and Tilda. The projects are all simple enough for beginners yet desirable enough for more experienced sewers, exploring different techniques including patchwork, quilting, paper piecing, appliqué, colour play, embroidery and embellishment. Projects include small quilts, dolls, bags, pillows, hearts, puppies, flowers, stars, angels and more – all in a gorgeous coordinating color palette, with charming hand-drawn illustrations and exquisite styled photography.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

A-Z of smocking“This book features every smocking stitch, clearly explained for beginners, but also has inspiring examples and new or little-known techniques to appeal to experienced smockers. It shows how to work the stitches, read graphs, and select colours, fabric and threads. It teaches how to pleat and block a garment, gives advice on different techniques such as ribbon weaving, counterchange, template and freeform smocking and much more. It is bursting with hints, ideas and inspirational photographs.There is full advice on the fabric, needles and thread needed and a glossary of smocking terms. Interspersed throughout the book there are helpful hints for all the stitches and techniques, and beautiful photographs of smocked garments to inspire the reader to pick up a needle.” (Syndetics summary)